Edward Lear's Diaries

Same weather. Strong West wind at noon: clouds. []¹ ― & rain at 7 or 8.

Went early & left name at Palace & card on Baron D’Everton, ˇ[& took a “turn” with Boyd.]

Worked ― (but less today ― for Monday’s have accounts &c.) at the Porto 3 Scoglie ― & Butrinto. ― Major Peel came, with Col. Campbell ― & one Lambton ― who is nephew of Lady James. ― At 3, went up to the old old wall & the scrubby Aloe above Ascension & drew an [Onthine]. Prowled about the Olives & returned home by 6.15. ― The L.H.C. stopped his Brougham to tell me that C.F. had sent me 2 letters. ―― At home, ― found letters ― those 2 from C.F. very nice: ― one also from F.L. ― from Dickenson, ― & from Dalziell: Book of Nonsense is published & 500 sold already.

Lady (Countess) Canning is dead. ― How one remembers her now! the first time at Rome, then in London: then [Osborne] at the Queen’s: ― then again in Roma: ― & afterwards in London ―― & always the same as good as beautiful she seemed to me. ― What an end to Canning’s Indian life! ――――

The Maudes ― [tearing] furniture about all day, are happily out tonight. In walking, I met Count Henckel: ―― “I did not dare come to you! you would turn me out!” ―― He is an amiable fellow.

Wrote to F.L. & to bed late.

[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]

1. Blotted. [↩]

Same weather . . perfect calm, color, & brilliancy.

Rose at 7.30. After breakfast wrote to Mrs. AT. L. Reid, & Lady Goldsmid: & coloured some Butrinto drawings ―― wh. took me till 2.30. To Church ― but found it did not begin till 3.30 ― whereby walked about with Mrs. Decie, which hath a Trogon in her hat. ― Clark’s sermon bored me ― yet he means well. ― Afterwards ― walked from 5 to 6  round by the Prism, & back by Munelight.

Dressed & dined at the palace.

A remarkably pleasant evening. ― Sir H.J.S. asked me also on Xmas day, wh. I declined: he seems to me remarkable for good taste & tact. Home by 10.15.

[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]

Absolutely the same stupendous clear weather as before.

Worked very hard all day ― from 8.30 to 4.30 ― at 3 Corfus. ― placing a 15^th (!!!!) painting on canvass.

Letter from T. Cooper ― enclosing Roberson’s Bill ―― 54£ !! ― & ˇ[an] invitation from Ed.d Woodthorpe to dinner ― (last week). Mr. Gush’s Eldest son is dead.

At near 5 ― walked the small round by the poplars & S. Deca road. Full moon & wonderfully lovely!

Invitation to dine at the Palace tomorrow. ― ―

Dine at 6.15. ―― Always good dinners.

Penned out Butrinto drawings from 7.30 to 10.

T. Cooper says that poor dear W.F. Beadon is much worse.

X5

[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]

X4

Same weather early ― but cloudy at 1 P.M. ― & rain at 5.

Not very well ― indigestion.

Worked at Corfu from Gastouri
Corfu from S.ta Deca
Corfû from [Psararoũs] Nos. 8 ― 11 & 14.

Major Peel, & Baron D’Everton came & looked over drawings of Athos. Boyds invite me to dine ― but I have to say No: which I regret.

At 5 ― went to call on Middleton ― out.

Dined at 6. ― Col. Maude comes down & asks me upstairs ― so I go, & sit an hour & a half.

Penning out Butrinto drawings till 11.

Kindly letter from Mrs. Woolff.

[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]

Same weather!!! Rose at 7

At 8.30 went to Taylor’s, & drew 25£.

Sent letters to Dickenson
Ellen &
Lady G. Grey.

Worked at one of the Corfû pictures.

At 1.30 ― went up to the “Maudes” ― where all was good-humour ― including the little Cuba Dogs ― & a pleasing=clever Mrs. Darell & daughter. ―― M. came down with me: ― & at 1.30 ― I went solo to Ascension, where I drew till 4.15. (I remember such weather in 1855: ― & indeed, it lasted, more or less ― all that winter.)

Walked all along the cliffs to One Gun ― what opal views of Nicopolis & S.ta Maura! ― what gold sunset through=leaf=ness of those groves of olive!

Fell in with Middleton & Majr Cox ― & walked with them to Cannone: which talking with them then, came Sir H. Storks, L.H.C. ―― whereby our converse ended. I took leave of him to go with them, but he “would signify” I was to walk with him: & so he walked as far as the Casino. And I don’t remember a more unbumptious ― & yet ˇ[a] more straight-speaking & intelligent Govt. anywhere. Moreover, he spoke kindly to the peasants everywhere ― τὶ κάμεις; καλα;¹

So I got home by 5.45. ― Wonderful pure light! & dined. ― (G. had done some tripes but it looked like a lot of lizards, & I couldn’t eat it ―) Afterwards, penned out (Butrinto,) till 9.30. ― Wrote a letter, & sent it with a drawing & photograph of Parnassos, to Mrs. Woolff ― declining Xmas day dinner.

[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]

1. How are you? Is everything good? (NB). [↩]

The same celestial weather ― but, towards evening, with a little more cloud. ―

Rose at 7 ― & worked at 2 or 3 (or 4) of the Corfû smaller paintings. Later, made 4 more tracings.

At 2.30 ― little Boyd came ― & I drew some nonsense drawings for him: a nice intelligent boy. ― At 3.30 ― drew the Citadel ― from Καστράδες. ―

Spiro & Karalámbi are better somewhat.

Dined at 6. The Decies ask me to dine, wh. I decline. ―

Horrid people close by my room ― above or below I know not ―― perform on violins & sing.

Am going to endeavour to pen out a little ― if ever so little.

Penned out till 10.

[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]

Same perfection weather.

Rose at 7. ― Spiro & Καραλάμπι are better somewhat.

Letter from Ellen ― & the Observer. Lady Grey is dead.

Wrote to Ellen & Lady G. Grey.

Sent letters to Drummond’s ― drawing
15£ for T. Cooper & Insurance
17.10 for Gush
―――――――
32.10
T. Cooper
Bickers & Bush

Worked at Corfû paintings till 1.30, then to the platform of Ascension, where I drew outline till 5 ― not cold at all. ―

Dined at 6. At 8. went to the Sargents ― & found all 3 sitting round the fire. ― they seem an amiable lot, but the nature of people ― when shut up in the hole ― is sorely tried. To day, however, I have been more εὐχαριζημένος.¹ ―

Home before 11.

Took tea at Sir C.S.’s ― & was sleepless[.]

X3

[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]

1. Pleased (NB). [↩]

The most perfect weather again ― bright & soft ― almost cloudless ― blue & gold ― purple & silver: not cold ― not hot.

Rose at 7.15. Alas for the industrious days! Breakfast.

Went to the post at 9 ― found a letter from dear good Jane Husey Hunt: ― very kind & nice, & written before she ˇ[can have] received mine. ― Then to Taylor’s, & Boyd’s: ― & found I can draw on Drummonds thro’ Taylor as I please. ―

Returned at 10.30 ˇ[& acc.ts with G. ― wh. he has kept nicely enough] ― & then began one of the Corfû pictures working till 1 ― when I prepared a lot of drawing things for Ascension ―― & was there by 2. That view seems to me impracticable ― unless ― se non ― εὰν μὴ¹ ― by dodgeries.

So, at 4.20 I left: tho’ Major & Mrs. De Vere ― (Mrs. de V. a very nice woman ― face ― manner ― disposition ―) ― Mr. & Mrs. Decie, & Bolland ― all playing Croquet on the “green” at Ascension, the Priest of Ἁγίου Ελίου² looking on!

Talked with him & them, & home by 6. Found poor George in gt. distress & angry: Spiro would not remain quiet, but having gone back to Sir C. Sargents, has become very ill, & has gone home ― the Doctor having bled him twice today. Little Καραλάμπι also is ill of fever. ― Dined, ― thanx to G. ― very nicely ― & then sent him to see about his family. ―

[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]

1. Both the Italian and the Greek are repetitions of the English “unless.” [↩]
2. [The church of] Saint Elias (NB). [↩]

Wonderful to relate ― the weather is perfectly lovely again ― cloudless: ― the mountains snowy.

Went to Church: crowded: a bore. ― Clark’s sermon ditto.

Called on Mr. Maude ― (the Forts were there,) & on Mr. & Mrs. Decie ― (friends of the Brookfields’,) & on Capt. Vernon.

At 2 ― came home, & wrote parts of letters to Thomas Cooper, Drummond’s &c. ―

At 3, walked out ― meeting Boyd & Baron d’Everton ― & so to the Casino ― the de Veres out: ― & on to Ascension, ― where, on the Platform ― fell in with Sargent & Woolff ― ˇ[to] whom I expatiated on the view ― with whom I walked to the One Gun & back to town by 6.

(I may be mistaken, but Sargent’s accueil seems to arise from caring for oneself ―― Woolff’s ― from a general principle of diplomatic or official be-the-same-to-everybody=hospitality. It is odd enough that W. reminds me of his predecessor at times ― a kind of fluffy shiftiness. Of course he is a Gentleman, wh. B. was not in any degree.) ――― Giorgio not in: ― wrong.

Went ― at 7 ― to Carter’s ― & dined: at first alone ― but then came a Middy ― not very young, who had been much in China, Japan, &c. &c. ― & was very “instructive” as well as “amusing.” ―― He was wishing to go to Albania, & had various discussions ― with the Waiter (who had been 15 times,) & one “Matteo” ― who had been 23 times. This last had had a padrone¹ ― (one Tindall, who ἐζητισε² eagles’ eggs ― also vultures, ― ( (but [principally] eggs ―) ) ― & who staid 3 months in Patràgik & Aetòs mountains ― but finally was drowned at Scarboro’ ――) ― & wished to go with the Elderly Middy: but the Middy had his eyes open & eschewed him, & arranged to go to Messoughè. ― So I came away. ― If I ever return to Corfù, it will be to portray all I can of it, & go = not to live here. ― So I came home. Blew up G. for sleeping in his clothes. ―――

[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]

1. Master. [↩]
2. Asked for (NB). [↩]

Pouring rain & dark. Slept ill ― bed uncomfortable. At 8.30 came home, & breakfasted. Began 2 small drawings of Philœ & Corfu ― but the whole furniture upstairs is moved, & I should think 20 soldiers & 10 horses there.

Headache & feverish, ― & find work wholly impossible. What to do? ― It seems that the Bollands are unable to stay in their new home, & wish to come back here. So, as far as that goes, I could cut off, with only the loss of expense in sending my things out, ― buying some here, ― & loss of time.

About 2.30 called on amiable Mrs. Boyd ― & detailed some of my miseries: also heard Charley Boyd read some of my “nonsense.”

Then, meeting Sir C. Sargent, arranged to walk with him [at 4.] Called on the Bollands ―――: & later walked with Sir C.S. to the Cross Potamo road. It rains now & then.

At 6.30 dined.

Heard Giorgio read a bit, he has not forgotten his lessons.

There is no wind tonight ― (at least here ―[)] & the people above are quiet enough. As G. says “Come Signore! Credete che possono far più chiasso dopo aver fatto quello grande per 2 giorni?”¹

[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]

1. Why, Sir! Do you think they can be noisier after the great noise they have made for two days?” [↩]